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28th June, 2010, Limerick – Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe TD today announced that Analog Devices Ireland is to invest €23m in R&D at its Limerick facility in Raheen, Co. Limerick. This investment, which builds on the history of R&D activity at the site, is supported by the Government through IDA Ireland as part of its ongoing strategy to position Ireland as a Smart Economy.

A continued focus on R&D is part of the ongoing evolution of Analog Devices’ operations in Ireland. Since ADI first established a base in Limerick more than thirty years ago the organisation has changed and evolved on a constant basis helping to ensure the continued competitiveness of the facility. The €23m funding for R&D activities signifies a further commitment to Ireland by the company which plans to develop a number of enabling semiconductor process technologies for its global ADI customers across its core market segments to supply innovative integrated customer solutions in medical instrumentation, communications, industrial applications and the automotive industry from Limerick.

Commenting on the announcement Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Batt O’Keeffe TD said: 'Analog Devices investment will strengthen the firm's strategic position in the global semiconductor industry and consolidate its presence in Limerick.
The Government is eager to support innovation and research and development activity in indigenous enterprises and multinationals so it is encouraging that a company of Analog Devices calibre is investing in its team and operation in Ireland.

Analog Devices investment is entirely consistent with the Government's vision for a 'smart' economy based on high-quality jobs in the marketplace of ideas.'

Analog Devices VP of Manufacturing Dennis Dempsey said, ‘The decision to further invest in R&D at our Limerick campus is a very positive one for our local operations and is in keeping with the focus on innovation, investment and change that has always been at the forefront of our operations here - both in high end manufacturing and integrated circuit design.

“This new investment will facilitate broadening the scope of the company’s research mandate as we undertake new process developments for the corporation. Our Limerick based team will be driving technological developments based on our customers’ rapidly evolving needs across a wide range of industries throughout the globe. Our high end manufacturing operations and our highly skilled workforce will continue to maintain their competitive edge as a result of this investment.”

IDA CEO Barry O’Leary said, ‘This R&D investment by Analog Devices Ireland at its Limerick operation will further embed Analog’s operations here and is keeping with IDA’s focus on Transformation as outlined in IDA’s recent ‘Horizon 2020’ Strategy Document. Investment in Research and Development is an integral part of building Ireland’s Smart Economy while paving the way for future investment and job creation. On behalf of IDA Ireland I look forward to lending continued support to Analog as it grows and develops its Irish operations.’

Analog Devices has a number of long-term partnerships in place with educational institutions in Ireland and it is proposed that some of the R&D work will be carried out in conjunction with these institutions, specifically with the Tyndall Institute in University College Cork in the first instance.

Analog Devices employs over 1,000 people in Limerick across high end manufacturing and design. The €23m investment will be in the manufacturing division where over 75% of the workforce has a minimum of a third level degree qualification. There are 10 PhD graduates working in the manufacturing operation.

Analog Devices holds the highest number of patents of any Irish based organisation and files 6% of all Irish registered patents each year on average.

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